A comparison of condom use perceptions and behaviours between circumcised and intact men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States. (March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crosby, R; Charnigo, R J
• Is Part Of: International journal of STD & AIDS. Volume 24:Number 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Subjects: condoms -- circumcision -- men -- sexually transmitted infection -- STI -- HIV -- prevention; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; 616.951
• DOI: 10.1177/0956462412472444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-4624

Abstract

This investigation compared circumcised and intact (uncircumcised) men attending sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics on condom perceptions and frequencies of use. Men ( N = 316) were recruited from public clinics in two US states. Circumcision status was self-reported through the aid of diagrams. Intact men were less likely to report unprotected vaginal sex ( P < 0.001), infrequent condom use ( P = 0.02) or lack of confidence to use condoms ( P = 0.049). The bivariate association between circumcision status and unprotected sex was moderated by age ( P < 0.001), recentSTD acquisition ( P < 0.001) and by confidence level for condom use ( P < 0.001). The bivariate association between circumcision status and infrequent condom use was also moderated by age ( P = 0.002), recentSTI acquisition ( P = 0.02) and confidence level ( P = 0.01). Multivariate findings supported the conclusion that intact men may use condoms more frequently and that confidence predicts use, suggesting that intervention programmes should focus on building men's confidence to use condoms, especially for circumcised men.